But more than 39 minutes of heart-pounding action were overshadowed by the stunning exit of Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, who was hit with back-to-back technicals in a matter of seconds when he charged out onto the court to argue a charge called on C.J. Fair with 11 seconds left in a two-point game. It was obvious why Boeheim was booted; it wasn’t difficult to read his lips in the middle of the court.

Fair’s basket would have tied the game, but instead, with the technical fouls, Duke had four free-throw attempts. Quinn Cook made three of them, and Duke suddenly had a five-point lead and the basketball. With just those 11 ticks left on the clock, a comeback was impossible.

Duke won the game, 66-60. The loss was the second in a row for Syracuse after its 25-0 start to the season.

Boeheim believed the replay was clear that it was a block, though others, including ESPN analyst Digger Phelps, believed it was a charge.

"The new rule is it’s a block," Boeheim said afterward. "It’s been explained a hundred times. C.J. got into his motion. I saw the replay, and the guy was moving. That’s it, it’s as simple as that. It’s a block.

"I just wanted to see if I still had it in me to go out there (on the floor to protest) and I did. I got out there pretty good. I thought I was quick. I stayed down, and I didn’t get injured. I just thought it was the worst call of the year is all. I just hate to see the game decided on that call."